A year ago, Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome was in the midst of a hectic summer that saw him get selected third overall at the NHL draft in South Florida, attend the team’s development camp in the Valley and then report for Canada’s national junior team showcase in Calgary, all in the span of approximately six weeks.

When he returned to Arizona in September for training camp, Strome still impressed – he was among the final cuts, going back to junior only five days before the Coyotes’ season started.

But team brass wasn’t convinced he could physically withstand the rigors of an 82-game schedule.

Without the draft hype and commitments that follow, Strome has been able to cut back on travel and focus on his training – prep work that could help the 19-year-old bridge the gap to the NHL and land on the Coyotes' roster in the fall.

“It’s more beneficial for me,” he said.

Strome was among the prospects that took to the ice Monday at Gila River Arena for the start of the team’s prospect development camp, an annual orientation for the organization’s up-and-comers.

Although the players practice and have an intrasquad game scheduled for Friday, performance evaluations don’t tend to carry much weight in the middle of summer.

Even so, observations are being made, and Strome is aware of that.

“You obviously want to stand out, and you want to look good,” he said.

After skating in last year’s summit for prospects and then participating in training camp alongside the veterans, Strome felt he was ready to join the NHL ranks.

Ultimately, though, the Coyotes decided he’d be best served sticking with the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League, and while a demotion isn’t the easiest news to take, Strome interpreted it as a positive – an opportunity to continue to improve.

In 56 regular-season games, he scored 37 times and racked up 111 points before chipping in 21 more points (10 goals) in 13 playoff games. Strome was also one of the most productive Canadians at the World Junior Championship, totaling four goals and six points in five games.

“I just tried to be a leader and help out the young guys on my junior team and hopefully get a little more mature,” he said.

The work hasn't stopped in the offseason; Strome has bulked up since starting his summer training, adding about 10 pounds. In conjunction with the jump in weight, he’s also fine-tuning his skating, focusing on his mechanics in the hope of capitalizing on a more powerful stride.

“I’m just trying to put on a little bit of weight and hopefully come into camp and not be known as the 18-year-old that’s going to get pushed around,” Strome explained. “I want to go in there and prove that I can be there and prove that I deserve to be there.”

Strome nearly accomplished that feat only months after being drafted and in spite of a busy itinerary.

“He had a very good camp last year,” coach Dave Tippett said. “I expect him to be that much further along this year. He’s a guy that will certainly get a long look with us.”

But now, with another season of development on his resume, the time might be right for Strome to debut with the Coyotes.

His preparation this summer only appears to reinforce that as his top objective.

“One year more experience has definitely helped and hopefully helps them see that I’m ready to make the team and I’m ready to try to stick there for the long run,” Strome said.

Ice chip

Winger Nick Merkley and goalie Marek Langhamer did not skate Monday. Merkley is recovering from an ACL tear; Langhamer is also dealing with an injury.

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.